Gem Setting in Basket

ABSTRACT

A gem setting with a tapered basket has a width of a central gem stone plus smaller surrounding gem stones at one end. At another end, the tapered basket is narrower and the central gem stone sits there-within. The smaller gem stones cover at least some of the facets of the larger gem stone, with a continuous visual appearance between the smaller and larger gemstones making the central gem appear larger. The angle offset of the tables of the smaller stones can be equal to that one of an adjacent facet (adjacent by way of visual appearance or actual distance there-to), or an averaged angle of facets which generally face the respective smaller stone. The basket itself can have a flat base with concentric rectangular cross sections and indentations at the top for placement of stones.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to the setting of gemstones, and more specifically to a setting of a gem stone in a tapered basket.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Diamonds and other gemstones are often set on rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry. These stones are also expensive due to their high demand, strength, longevity, and relative rareness. In the earlier part of the 1900s, women often received two karat diamonds upon engagement. Today, women often receive no more than half a karat. The price of such stones can keep some out of the market for larger or higher quality gems, but the desire to have the look and feel of a beautiful ring is still very much desired.

What is needed in the art is a way to produce a setting using a smaller stone, with the look of a larger stone.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a gem setting with a casted basket. The basket itself can have a flat base, the flat base forming a first smallest rectangle of tapered side walls of the basket. Rectangle shall be inclusive of a square for the purposes of this specification. The basket can also have alternating stems and portals at a mid-region of the tapered side walls, the stems being of a unitary construction and forming a continuous plane with the first smallest rectangle of the tapered side walls as well as a largest rectangle of the casted basket. In other words, the portals cut into the sides of the basket at intervals, while the basket walls are still otherwise continuous. Cross-sections of the casted basket from the smallest to largest rectangle form concentric rectangles. For purposes of this application, concentric rectangles refer to rectangles of different dimensions that are proportionally identical (ratio of short sides to long sides) and share the same center point. In other words the smallest or narrowest rectangle has a mathematically similar shape to the largest or top-most end of the casted basket. The largest rectangle can be interrupted by multiple indentations with a smaller gem held in each such indentation. The size of the smaller gem(s) is/are “smaller” relative to a larger center gem having a mass at least two, three, five, eight, ten, or twenty times of each smaller gem. The larger gem can have a table and at least a part of facets thereof visible from a top side of the gem setting, the top side being defined as a side opposite the (flat) base. Each smaller gem can obstruct when looking at a top view of the gem setting, at least a portion of the facets of the larger gem.

Each smaller gem can also have a table substantially parallel or parallel to an average or equalized angle of the facets of the larger gem. The relevant facets referred to are those which point in the general direction of the smaller gem (wherein “general direction” and/or the referred to facets of the larger gem refers to those facets of the larger gem which are within a 30 degree angle of the table of the smaller gem). The facets of the larger gem can be at an acute angle to the table of the larger gem. The small(er) gems in each indentation can, in combination, encircle (with spaces between each one) the larger gem. For the purposes of this specification encircle means surround or existing along the perimeter of an object such that the surrounding elements form a continuous or substantially continuous enclosure around the object. The spaces between the smaller gems can be no greater than 3 millimeters. A prong can be exposed to the top side of the gem setting between each smaller gem and the larger gem, inclusive (that is, between every two smaller gems as well as between every smaller gem and the larger gem).

Another way to describe embodiments of the gem setting is that the gem setting has a tapered casted basket having a narrower base and wider top side, a central gem set within the casted basket, and a plurality of smaller gems encircling the central gem and set within the casted basket. Each small gem of the plurality of smaller gems is set at an angle offset from a top direction an equal amount (e.g., each small gem has a table offset 15 degrees from pointing to the top, though each gem is angled relative to its position around the larger gem). Each small gem covers at least a portion of a top side of the central gem in embodiments.

Prongs can be visible from the top direction between every two of the plurality of said smaller gems forming points on a circle. The casted basket further can have a plurality of portals, circumferentially cutting into side walls between the narrower base and the wider top side. The narrower base terminates in a flat square-shaped side in some embodiments. When viewing from the top direction towards the narrower base, each small gem continues in a substantially identical direction as facets of the central gem in embodiments.

In yet another way of describing embodiments of the gem setting, a casted basket can extend upward from a base (square-shaped, pointed, or otherwise) with a side wall extending at an obtuse angle outwards from the rectangle base. At least a majority of the side wall can have a rectangle cross-section. A plurality of indentations at a top side of the casted basket disposed circumferentially around the side wall can each hold (be in contact with and/or provide direct support for keeping another element in place), a gemstone at least partially filling each of the indentations. A larger central gemstone can extend a majority of a length between the top side and the rectangle base. Each gemstone can at least partially fill each indentation, and in addition, cover at least a part of the larger central gemstone when viewed from the top side.

An angle of the table of each gemstone (other than the central stone), can be substantially equal to an angle of an adjacent facet (defined as “one of the facets closed there-to, a “facet” being a “substantially flat region on a surface of a gem”) of the larger central gemstone. The casted basket can have a plurality of circumferentially extending portals. Other than the central largest gem stone, the remaining gemstones (smaller or surrounding stones) can be identical or substantially identical in size and/or weight as well as the angle that they are offset from a table of the larger central gemstone. When viewed from a top side, each gemstone can at least partially fill each indentation to form a continuous appearance with the larger central gemstone. A “continuous appearance” is defined as “no visual interruption from one element to the next, from the viewing angle described.” Further, each of the adjacent elements (numbered elements which appear next to each other), can or do have a continuous visual appearance and/or be continuous in that they touch or connect.

“Substantially” and “substantially shown,” for purposes of this specification, are defined as “at least 90%,” or as otherwise indicated. “Identical” or “exactly” for purposes of this specification, is defined as “within an acceptable tolerance level known in the art.” Any device may “comprise” or “consist of” the devices mentioned there-in, as limited by the claims. Any element described may be one of “exactly” or “substantially” as described.

It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusively such that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “a and b,” “a or b,” “a,” or “b.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gem with setting of embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 6 shows an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a setting of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7A shows an elevation view of an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a setting of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7B shows an inset of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of a gem setting include a tapered basket has a width of a central gem stone plus smaller surrounding gem stones at one end. At another end, the tapered basket is narrower and the central gem stone sits there-within. The smaller gem stones cover at least some of the facets of the larger gem stone with a continuous visual appearance between the smaller and larger gemstones making the central gem appear larger. The angle offset of the tables of the smaller stones can be equal to that one of an adjacent facet (adjacent by way of visual appearance or actual distance there-to) or an averaged angle of facets which generally face the respective smaller stone. The basket itself can have a flat base with square-shaped cross sections and indentations at the top for placement of stones.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following discussion of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gem with setting of embodiments of the disclosed technology. Here, the full gem setting 2 is shown which includes a gemstone 10 in a casted basket 50 (herein, referred to as “basket”). The gemstones disclosed herein may be any precious stone including a diamond. Likewise, a plurality of additional smaller gemstones 20 encircle the larger gemstone 10. The larger gemstone 10 is square-shaped and the smaller gemstones 20 can be of any spherical cut having spherical edges) such as a full cut or single cut. The number of smaller gemstones are sized to surround the larger gemstone. A plurality of prongs 25 surround the larger gemstone and are used to set (hold to the basket 50) either or both of the larger gemstone 10 or the smaller encircled gemstones 20. The basket 50 is tapered, such that a rectangle is formed on both the back and front side of the basket, the front side being the side where the face of the gemstone 10 is exposed (the largest exposed side of the gemstone 10). The basket 50 can have one or a plurality of portals 55. These details will be discussed in greater detail in view of the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view thereof. Here, the gemstone 10 is held within the basket 50. The basket itself is divided into various parts for purposes of this disclosure. The basket 50, is a unitary structure having a small back end which ends in a rectangle base 52, the rectangle base having the narrowest circumference of the basket 50. The basket 50 then tapers outwards from the base 52 along side walls. The side walls are at an obtuse angle to the base 52 and are comprised of a lower portion 54, stems 56 (aligned longitudinally with the portals 55), an upper portion 57, and top regions 58. Referring to the longitudinal direction between the base 52 and the top 58, the extent of each section is defined as follows. The lower portion 54 extends between the base 52 and the stems 56. The stems, in turn, being an end along the portals 55 which extend around the device. These portals 55 allow one to see into the basket 50 and lessen the amount of material needed to procure the product, thereby reducing it's cost. The upper portion 57 extends between the top most part of the portals 55, and where the side walls begin to curve at the top, thus defining the top portion 58 of the side walls, where the walls curve into multiple prongs at the top of the device.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof. Here, the various prongs 25 are visible between the smaller stones 20 and larger stone 10. Further, the top 58 of the side walls of the basket 50, are viewable in this top view as the walls curve at this point. The top portion 58 of the side walls are further defined by the portions which are viewable in the top plan view of the jewelry item disclosed herein. The upper portion of the side walls, thus begins where the walls are no longer visible in the top plan view.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view thereof. In this bottom plan view, the bottom side of the largest gemstone 10 is visible inside the basket 50, having a base 52, lower portion 54, stems 56, and upper portion 57. Here, one can clearly also see the tapered nature of the basket 50 having a narrower bottom side and a wider top side with flat and angled side walls substantially linearly, extending between the bottom and top sides.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view thereof. The top portion 58 of the side walls 50 is seen here as it curves over to the top side of the device. Further, the tapered nature of the basket 50 is shown with various pits between the top 58 of the walls of the basket. The top side of the larger gem 10 forms a substantially continuous plane with each of the smaller gems 20, the gems 20 which can be positioned in indentations of the basket 50. Any spherical stone can be used for the smaller stones 20, each of the smaller stones 20 substantially identical to one another entirely, or at least on the top surface thereof with respect to their shape and cut. When using a 1 karat larger stone 10, one saves about 40% of the weight of the stone (and area of the stone), than if the same stone extended on its top side as far as each of the smaller stones 20 covers on the top of the product (what is viewable in the top plan view).

FIG. 6 shows an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a setting of the disclosed technology. The numbers indicated here have been multiplied by 10 compared to corresponding parts on each of the other figures. Here, a gemstone 100 is shown in a basket 500. The portion 505 represents the area covered by the small gemstones 20. This shape is created based on the position of the smaller gemstones positioned on top of the basket around the exterior of the top side of the larger gemstone 100. It should be understood that any cut of gem can be used, as long as the table of the larger gem 10 is exterior to the basket 50. The basket is wider than the pavilion angle in embodiments of the disclosed technology, and has the same or a larger pavilion depth than the larger gem 10. The facets (exterior to the table) of the larger gem 10, angle downwards from the table of the gem. The smaller gems are angled so that their tables are substantially equal on average, to the angle of the facets of the larger gem 10.

FIG. 7A shows an elevation view of an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a setting of the disclosed technology. FIG. 7B shows an inset of FIG. 7A. Here the gem 20 is shown having a central axis 21 (from the center of the top of the gem through the bottom post point of the gem, the top being defined by the large flat portion, the sides being defined by the tapered portion, and the bottom being defined by the point where the tapered portion joins together at a single point). The large gemstone 10 is also tapered, as is the basket 50. However, as is shown in the figures, the side walls of the basket 50, though tapered, are wider than the taper of the large gem 10. If one were to extend the face of the larger gemstone 10, it would extend over the area 505 shown in FIG. 6, which corresponds to the top of the smaller gems 20. That is, the gemstone 10 is made to look like a gemstone covering the area defined by not only the top of gemstone 10, but also of the smaller gemstones 20. This gives the appearance of a gemstone having the combination of the top of gemstone 10, as well as gemstones 20, because of the generally equal angle of the top of both gemstones 10 and 20 relative to each other, forming a substantially continuous planar surface in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Thus, an imaginary line formed by the central axis 21 of each of the smaller gemstones 20, can be equal to and/or parallel and/or substantially equal to and/or substantially parallel to the tapered side wall of the larger gem 10, as shown in FIG. 7B. To an observer viewing the gems from the top or sides, it appears as a single substantially continuous setting. In embodiments, each of the smaller gems 20 touches the larger gem 10. In embodiments, a top side of each gem 20 hangs/extends at least partially over a top side of the larger gem 10. In embodiments, the top side of the gem 10 includes a portion with an angle less than that of the entirety of the top side of each gem 20, and a portion with an angle more than that of the entirety of the top side of each gem 20.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects, only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention. 

1. A gem setting, comprising: a casted basket having: a flat base, said flat base forming a first smallest concentric rectangle of tapered side walls of said casted basket; alternating stems and portals at a mid-region of said tapered side walls, said stems being of a unitary construction and forming a continuous plane with said first smallest concentric rectangle of said tapered side walls and a largest concentric rectangle of said casted basket; said largest rectangle being interrupted by multiple indentations with a smaller gem held in each said indentation, wherein a size of said smaller gem is relative to a larger center gem having a mass at least five times of each said smaller gem; said larger gem, having a table and at least a part of facets thereof visible from a top side of said gem setting, said top side being defined as a side opposite said flat base; and each said smaller gem obstructing from a top view of said gem setting at least a portion of said facets of said larger gem.
 2. The gem setting of claim 1, wherein each said smaller gem has a table substantially parallel to an average angle of said facets of said larger gem.
 3. The gem setting of claim 1, wherein the concentric rectangles are concentric squares.
 4. The gem setting of claim 2, wherein said facets of said larger gem are at an acute angle to said table of said larger gem.
 5. The gem setting of claim 4, wherein said smaller gems in each said indentation combine to surround said larger gem.
 6. The gem setting of claim 5, wherein a prong is exposed to said top side of said gem setting between each smaller gem and said larger gem.
 7. A gem setting comprising: a tapered casted basket having a narrower base and wider top side forming trapezoidal side walls; a central gem set within said casted basket; and a plurality of smaller gems surrounding said central gem and set within said casted basket; wherein each small gem of said plurality of smaller gems is set at an angle offset from a top direction at to an equal amount; and wherein each said small gem covers at least a portion of a top side of said central gem.
 8. The gem setting of claim 7, further comprising prongs visible from said top direction between every two of said plurality of said smaller gems, forming points on a rectangle.
 9. The gem setting of claim 7 wherein said side walls have equal areas.
 10. The gem setting of claim 8, wherein said casted basket further comprises a plurality of portals circumferentially cutting into side walls between said narrower base and said wider top side.
 11. The gem setting of claim 10, wherein said narrower base terminates in a flat rectangular side.
 12. The gem setting of claim 11, wherein when viewing from said top direction towards said narrower base, each said small gem continues in a substantially identical direction as facets of said central gem.
 13. A gem setting comprising: a casted basket extending upward from a rectangle base with a side wall extending at an obtuse angle outwards from said rectangle base, wherein at least a majority of said side wall has a rectangular cross-section; a plurality of indentions at a top side of said casted basket disposed surrounding said side wall; a gemstone at least partially filling each said indentation; a larger central gemstone extending a majority of a length between said top side and said rectangle base; wherein each said gemstone at least partially filling each said indentation covers at least a part of said larger central gemstone when viewed from said top side.
 14. The gem setting of claim 13, wherein an angle of a table of each said gemstone which at least partially fills each said indentation is substantially equal to an angle of an adjacent facet of said larger central gemstone.
 15. The gem setting of claim 14, wherein said casted basket comprises a plurality of portals located on each side between said top side and rectangle base.
 16. The gem setting of claim 15, wherein each said gemstone at least partially filling each said indentation is substantially identical in size, weight, and angle offset from a table of said larger central gemstone.
 17. The gem setting of claim 16, wherein when viewed from a top side, each said gemstone at least partially filling each said indentation forms a continuous appearance with said larger central gemstone.
 18. The gem setting of claim 17, wherein said larger central gemstone fills a majority of an interior space within said casted basket. 